Pending unrestricted free agent forward Brooks Laich has signed a six-year contract extension worth $27 million with the Capitals, the team announced Tuesday.

“We are very pleased to have Brooks Laich continue his career as a Washington Capital,” General Manager George McPhee said in a news release. “Brooks has excelled as one of the League’s finer two-way players and is just entering his prime. His combination of size, speed, versatility and leadership makes him a valuable part of our club.”

According to the team, the deal was agreed to in principle before last weekend’s NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota.

From Mike Vogel’s story on the Capitals’ website, which you can read here:

“At the end of the day, you sit back and you look at yourself and your situation in Washington,” states Laich. “I have everything I’ve always dreamed of and worked for in playing hockey. I have a team that has a chance to win a Stanley Cup every single year, with young players and a core group of players that are going to be competitive for a long time. I’ve got an organization that likes me; I play 20 minutes a night, power play, penalty kill, five-on-five. I’m a guy that’s relied upon.

“What more could you possibly want? I think I am in a situation I’ve worked for my whole life. Ultimately, I was 100 percent happy in Washington. That’s why I wanted to return and that’s why I had no desire to leave.”

Laich is scheduled to discuss his new deal with reporters on a conference call this afternoon and McPhee will meet with the media as well.

Update: Via ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, here’s the breakdown of Laich’s contract: $6.5 million next season then $4 million each of the next two years; $4.5 million in 2014-15; and $4 million each of last two seasons.

“He is a talented multi-purpose player with high integrity and a great motor,” Leonsis wrote on his blog, Ted’s Take. “He loves our city and our fan base. I am grateful that he has shown his belief in our team and that he is dedicated to doing whatever possible to help us achieve all of our collective aspirations.

“He is a winner and I am proud of him,” Leonsis continued. “He is very reflective of the kind of player we want to reward and keep in our franchise.”